Freedom 2026

It is the year 2026 and we are off for our family reunion, not on the Island of Reunion, but a reunion with the whole family. Parents, brothers, wives of brothers and all of our kids are to conglomerate at Jackpot in Cape St francis South Africa. To date the rest of the family are already in CSF and we are the last ones to make the journey. 

Bring on the snow! It has been an unusual winter in 2026. We are not used to getting much snow in the Netherlands any more. usually a day or so, maybe a few days at most, and then it vanishes. This year has been exeptional. We have had snow for a whole week and it has turned the country into chaos on the roads and at the airport. As luck would have it we are to fly on the most favourable day of the week, Tuesday. No snow predicted, but low temepratures causing problems at the airport and many many many flights being cancelled due to resaons we may or may not have been told. We were later informed that 700 flights never left and we we so fortunate to be one of the lucky ones to eventually punch through and set sail for destination Cape Town. 

In total our delay was 2 hours due to the bagage hoist having frozen overnight and it needed to be defrosted. Next delay was the de-icing of the plane. Cabin crew, take your seats for take off and into the skies KLM 597 flew. It was a very uneventful flight and we had in total probably 3 minutes of turbulance. We were seated next to eachother on the middle row and it really was pleasant.

On landing in CPTIA (Cape Town International Airport) we had a little queue for passport stamping and our bags were waiting on the bagage carousel when we got to it. Out through the exit gates and our shuttle driver was waiting for us to take us the 1600m (yes 1.6km) to our hotel. It is strongly advised, critical I would , to stay over at a airport hotel when arriving at night! Check in, shower and lights out as we were already into the next day due to the late departure of KLM 597.

Into Day 1 South Africa. Ingrid and I were awake at 06h30 and went downstairs for a coffee before breakfast was opened. Just a normal hotel breakfast buffet to get the tummy satiated before we caught the 2nd shuttle back to the airport to the car rental. The cars main objective was to fit the 2 suitcases and 4 PAX. Check! Full tank of petrol and a full belly and we whizzed off towards our final destination Cape St Francis (CSF). 

The journey would take us about 750 km along the East Coast of South Africa and off to our beloved family who were already in CSF. Road trip from CPT to CSF has always been a pleasure and I had a reserve driver in Bo, as Ingrid had not brought her cabin bagage with and therein was her credit cards, sunglasses, makeup and drivers licence. Getting out of CPT was easier than I thought and we were soon onto the N2 highway, destination CSF.

First stop was unusual for us as we usally stop earlier for breakfast, but having had brekkie at the hotel we pushed throuigh. Toilet stop and refreshments and then off to Mossel Bay for the usual lunch break and filling up the car with petrol. We were unsure as to the possibilty of continuing our journey due the the raging fires alongside the road, but it seemed that during the night and early morning the fire fighters had gotten a handle on the blaze and we were able to continue our journey without any hold ups.

We were all excited for our Mugg & Bean menu, but somewhere in the last 12 months the M&B had been replaced by another national chain, the Spur. Filled the gap. Bo had driven from the 1st stop to Mossel bay and with a little coaching she had progressed from a driver to a South African driver. Rules are different here in some ways and one has to concentrate so much more whilst driving as one has to continously judge distance of cars in front of one, oncoming traffic and even cars behind one. It is a juggling act and one needs to take quite a few things into consideration on the highway. I have to say that the responsibility is great and Bo took the full load onto her shoulders and did a commendable job by listening, computing and executing! Well driven Bo! It was heart warming to know that she now has another weapon in her armoury and will be able to arrive alive in South Africa.

Then you see it, the turn off for Humansdorp. It is still 20 km to go to CSF, but you know that you are almost home! Land marks are so familiar and one can practically drive the route with ones eyes closed. Excitement throughout the vehicle! Taddaa, first stop is always a little detour to the beach. Here we met young brother Brad. From the beach it was off to the resort at CSF to check in before heading to brother Brad and the family for that first Braai (BBQ). How would I describe the accomodation? Simple and functional, but they have an air fryer!

After a quick shower and change we drove the last km to Jackpot, the central hub for the coming week or 2. chef mathew was on braai duty and as per usual the beer flowed and the conversation was light, whitty and oftentimes loud. 

Time for bed as it had actually been a long 2 days travelling. Hello South Africa! Hello Family! Goodbye snow!